RENSSELAER >> There could be a Hard Rock Cafe in the Capital District as part of a multimillion dollar casino and hotel proposal along the city of Rensselaer’s waterfront.

Hard Rock International officials announced during a Thursday evening presentation that that the company is working with NYS Funding LLC and Global Gaming Solutions, along with the city, on the potential project, proposed for the DeLaet’s Landing along the Hudson River.

“Hard Rock International is thrilled to collaborate with NYS Funding LLC to potentially create a world class facility in Rensselaer within the Capital Region, as it would become an important economic engine for the community,” said Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International. “We look forward to lending our global recognition, strong legacy of philanthropy and entertainment, and proven experience to this project. We are confident that this Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will positively impact the community’s economy.”

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While additional details for the Rensselaer project were not disclosed, officials said they would become available when the Request for Application is filed by NYS Funding LLC prior to the June 30 deadline.

Mayor Dan Dwyer said he first learned about the Hard Rock Cafe aspect of the project on Wednesday, the day before it was publicly announced. He noted that Global Gaming Solutions officials had said previously that they had a partner that would pleasantly surprise the city.

Dwyer said that it was his understanding that Global Gaming Solutions would manage the casino while Hard Rock managed the hotel. The casino portion, Dwyer said, cost about $150 million to $200 million to develop.

Hard Rock has 181 venues in 56 countries, with 77,000 music memorabilia items.

Allen said that the casino project would impact nine counties and two cities. He noted that the company continued to grow even through the recession as Hard Rock has a 83 percent brand awareness in the U.S.

“This will help a lot of upstate taxpayers,” he said. He added that its Times Square location has an annual revenue of about $40 million. Their casino locations have 56 percent more utilization on the slot machines than any other casinos located in that state, and that figure applies with all Hard Rock casino locations in the U.S, he said.

About 200 people attended the meeting and presentation. Some were in favor and some opposed the proposal.

Those against it said they did not like that there were so few details available at this point for the 25-acre site. They also doubted that this would help low-income families in the city.

“We don’t have the services for something like this. We don’t have the police or the fire,” said Marcel Guesnon, who has lived in the city for more than 30 years and would be able to see the casino if it was constructed. “I will leave if this goes in.”

Guesnon said he worried about pawn shops, porn stores, and drugs coming to the city with the casino.

Those against also said that they felt there was only so much money to go around and all of the casinos proposed in the state would not be able to stay in business.

Meanwhile, supporters felt it was the best proposal for the area compared with other plans.

“Hard Rock has the brand name recognition and the city needs the income,” said John Farrell Jr., a resident of East Greenbush. “Sure, the town of East Greenbush needs money, too, but not like Rensselaer. East Greenbush is the wrong place for a casino. It’s a foolish place. I want to see the casino in this riverfront development, and everyone I have talked to has said they would like to see it on the river.”

Earlier this month, the Rensselaer City Council voted 6-1 to approve the site-specific proposal.